Sample “articles” could include an article written by someone their own
age
who played with Abraham Lincoln’s children, and got the measles the
same time they did:
March 20 -
1861: Willie and Tad Lincoln get the measles
My
daddy works in the White House. He is part of the
Pennsylvania
Bucktail Regiment that protects President Lincoln. President
Lincoln didn’t have any troops guarding him when he took
office.
When the Confederate soldiers from the South invaded Maryland, my
daddy’s company took over security. The President is an
important
person who needs to be watched over. Our country needs him
right
now.
The president has two sons who
get to live in the White
House. Sometimes they come out and visit my daddy’s friends
while
they are on duty. The soldiers tell them stories and play
games
with them. Last week, I met Willie and Tad when I brought my
father a special lunch for his birthday. I am eight years
old,
just like Tad. Willie is a few years older, but he lets Tad
follow him around. I wrestled with them and they told me
tales of
their life in the White House. We had a race with the
soldiers –
Willie won but I don’t think the soldiers tried real hard.
When
my daddy came home today, he told me that Willie and Tad had the
measles just like me! My fever started a couple of days
ago. I have a rash all over my chest and arms.
Momma called
the army doctor. He put a special sign on the door so I can’t
play with other kids. He gave me medicine so I throw up and
go to
the bathroom a lot. Momma gave me an oatmeal bath to calm me
down. I felt better at first, but now I just itch!
I could
tell Momma was worried. When our neighbor Mrs. Trimble’s kids
had
the measles, they all died. That happens a lot with the
measles.
Willie
and Tad are going through the same thing I am right now. They
have better doctors than I did. Their daddy, President
Lincoln,
is just as worried as my daddy is though. My daddy said that
the
President visited them before going to visit the troops in the
camps. I am going to write them a letter and tell them about
my
measles. I wonder if they gave the measles to me.
Or maybe
I gave it to them!
______________________________________________________________
Or
a girl whose family was getting
ready to leave everything behind and go on a wagon train to the Pacific
Northwest:
Week 1 – Oregon Trail, Independence, MO
Momma
thought it would be a good idea for me to keep a journal of our trip
down the Oregon Trail to our new home. My name is Sally and I
am
12 years old. Ben is my six year old brother. We
picked up
everything we own and moved from Ohio and arrived in Independence, MO
four days ago.
Poppa got it in his head that there were too many
people at home. He wasn’t used to neighbors crowding his
fields
and he was worried about what would happen with the Southern states
about slavery. Momma didn’t have those worries, but after the
drought destroyed our crops was ready for a fresh start. I
DON’T
WANT TO GO! Poppa was certain that I should go to school and
I
liked my friends and teacher – Momma says that I probably won’t ever
see them again. I cried all night when I said goodbye to Beth
Anne. Ben’s just excited about everything and isn’t worried
about
starting over.
Poppa bought a wagon when we arrived. It looks like our farm
wagon – maybe 12 feet long. Momma
cried as much as I did when she had to get rid of Grandma’s dresser and
dining room set. Poppa said there is no room. Seems
like
it’s mostly filled with food, warm clothes and the like. I
get to
keep my favorite doll and book. They’re in the wagon under my
pillow.
Poppa also bought six oxen to pull the wagon. He
is going to train them the next few days before the wagon train
starts. He’d been doing some reading about other people going
to
Oregon. Horses couldn’t drag the wagon over the
Rockies.
Mules are strong but are kind of ornery. Poppa never would
cotton
to mules around the farm. We had some oxen to pull our plow,
so
Poppa’s comfortable with them. He always said that it takes
some
time for each to get used to the other to make it easy!
My
parents have been reading newspapers and books about what to
expect. He found a guide who is leaving real soon.
Some of
the people in the train are from Ohio, so Poppa feels safe about going
along. Momma says she will take me shopping for everything we
are
going to need tomorrow.
I’m going to bed now. Tomorrow I will find out how we will be
living. I hope I find friends on the trail!
